Down on the Farm Report – 5/08/07

In my last update I stated I did not have a great feeling about Angel Guzman making a start with the big club. After all, while with the Iowa Cubs, Guzman made three starts and was 0-2 with a 12.19 ERA. I am now eating those words as he pitched well enough to get past the 5th inning and would have gotten the win had the Cubs held the 2-1 lead. He gave up two hits, one earned run and two walks while he struck out three. I cannot explain why he was so much better in Chicago than he was in Iowa, but I hope it continues. He has done better with the big club so he must feel he is ready to be a regular part of that team.

Another guy that could make it to Wrigley, if needed, is Sean Marshall. He has looked solid in his two outings with Iowa that includes his game yesterday. He pitched 6.1 innings, gave up three hits, one earned run, a walk and he struck out three. If he continues pitching like that he could be called on as the fifth starter if Guzman falters at some point.

As you all know, Ronny Cedeno was sent down to Iowa to make room for Guzman. He has not made an appearance yet but he was listed as a reserve player so he must be with the team. He did not seem happy with the demotion but it will give him a chance to go to Iowa and play regularly. Here are more updates about the Cubs’ farm teams.

Iowa Cubs – Record: 15-15

Eric Patterson was 7-of-13 with four runs scored, a home run and four RBI’s. Koyie Hill was 3-of-9 with one run scored and three RBI’s. Mike Fontenot 3-of-10 with three runs scored and an RBI. Buck Coats was 5-of-9 with two runs scored and two RBI’s. Scott Moore was 4-of-8 with three RBI’s. Geovany Soto also spent some time playing at 1st base since the last update.

From the mound, Carlos Marmol picked up his third win Sunday night as the Cubs beat the Zephyrs 3-2. Marmol pitched 7.0 innings, gave up four hits, two earned runs, no walks and struck out nine batters. Marmol brought his ERA down to 3.74. He also helped on offense going 2-for-2 with a run scored. His batting average for the season stands at .300.

Roster Moves:

Carmen Pignatello was promoted from Double-A Tennessee on April 21st

Chris Walker was promoted from Double-A Tennessee on April 28th

Casey McGehee was sent to Double-A Tennessee on May 4th

Tony Richie was promoted from Double-A Tennessee on May 4th

Mike Kinkade was activated from the DL on May 6th

Tennessee Smokies – Record: 15-12

Jake Fox was 7-of-18 with four runs and five RBI’s over the last four games that included time in right field. Jorge Cortes was 6-of-10. Mike Craig was 6-of-14 with four runs scored, one home run and seven RBI’s and Jemel Spearman was 4-of-12 with five runs and three RBI’s.

From the mound, it looks as though Donald Veal could be starting to show us why he is rated our #2 prospect. He picked up his first win this week going 7.0 shutout innings, giving up three hits, and one walk while striking out three.

Mark Holliman put together yet another sparkling performance to pick up his fourth win. He pitched 6.0 innings giving up six hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out four.

Daytona Cubs – Record: 15-14

Tyler Colvin was 5-of-17 with one home run and six RBI’s. Alberto Garcia was 11-of-15 with four runs scored, a home run, three RBI’s and a stolen base. Chris Amador was 5-of-13 with three runs scored, a home run, two RBI’s, and two stolen bases.

From the mound the only outing of note over the last four games was provided by Scott Taylor as he picked up his first win of the year. He pitched 6.0 shutout innings, gave up four hits, and no walks while striking out six.

Ryan Harvey made his return to the Daytona Cubs on April 28th. Harvey is hitting .250 (10-for-40) with a .286 OBP and a .425 SLG to go along with 2 home runs and 4 RBI’s in 10 games.

Peoria Chiefs – Record: 14-13

The Chiefs are 1-3 in the last four games and thus there isn’t much of note to talk about. The only consistent player for the Chiefs over the last four games was Yusuf Carter who was 5-of-16 with two runs scored and a stolen base.

From the mound, Jake Renshaw won his first game for Peoria, going 6.0 innings, giving up one unearned run on three hits and no walks while striking out four. Renshaw joined Peoria back in April when the Chiefs sent Mark Pawelek back to extended spring training. Renshaw made five starts for Boise last year and finished with a 1-3 record and a 4.24 ERA. There is no reason given as to why Pawelek was sent down but he did struggle a bit out of the bullpen. It could be to work more with him or it might have been that they wanted to send Renshaw up to get some game experience.